Periodically operated aerosol dispenser



Aug. 30, 1966 R. 1 WEBER In 3,2595501 PERIODICALLY OPERATED AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed sept. 24. 1964 43 lo 2o 45 O SQL /la l2 |3 2O I7 lll/'f 'lllll I |e I7 le' I i' I i I Fifs I4 4 s 'e I5 INVENTOR 2 foal-fw- Z. /g/ff/e H@ 3 BY ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,269,601 PERIODICALLY (BPERATED AERSOL DISPENSER Robert L. Weber III, New Canaan, Conn., assigner to Time-Mist Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 398,917 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates -generally to uid spraying apparatus and more particularly to motor driven devices for the periodic and automatic dispensing of pressurized material from containers such as aerosol cans.

For many years aerosol containers with manually actuated valves have been used for discharging ue sprays of atomized liquids into the atmosphere. Such containers or cans contain aerosols in which the tluid to be dispensed is in association with a liquied gas. In the can is a spring closed valve with an upwardly projecting discharge stem carrying a spray nozzle in the form of a ngerpiece or button, the depression of which opens the valve to effect the dispensing of the active ingredient and the carrier in the form of a ne mist. The valve mechanism may be such that the spray is continuously discharged as long as the nozzle is held depressed, or it may be ot the metering type in which the depression ot the nozzle causes a single burst of spray. In recent years there have been marketed devices for automatically operating the nozzles of such aerosol cans at timed intervals such as one, ve, fteen or more minutes. Such automatic actuators have used slow speed electric motor -units to periodically operate some form of mechanism that engages the valve nozzle or button xed to the top of the tubular discharge stem of the valve mechanism.

The active ingredients in the sprays from such aerosol containers may be of various kinds such as an insecticide to control flying insects in homes, eating places, food stores and greenhouses, an air purier to sanitize and deodorize the air in hospitals, food stores, restaurants and kennels, and a chemical to produce a fragrant odor such as evergreen, spice, chocolate, or hickory smoke useable in retail stores, specialty shops and food stores to aid in selling various products.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for supporting an aerosol can so that a motorized mechanism can periodically dispense a predetermined quantity of lactive ingredient from said can.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism in which the can is held to a bracket by means that contacts the bottom of the can.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism in which adjustable resilient means is employed to maintain the can in proper vertical position.

Aerosol cans are usually composed of a cylindrical body having a flat bottom and a top which may be closed by a dish-shaped cap. The outer edge of the cap may be spun or rolled together with the top edge of the body, and an upstanding housing may be located at the center of the cap. The upstanding housing may contain conventional valve mechanism that communicates with the interior of the can, and a valve actuating stem may extend vertically above the housing, which stem when depressed ca-uses the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of pressurized active ingredient within the can.

In one aspect of the invention, a bracket may comprise a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall. A horizontal plate may be rigidly xed to the vertical plate and it may include an opening therethrough surrounded by a depending wall.

In another aspect of the invention, the diameter of the Walled opening may be such as to slidingly receive the upstanding housing with the wall extending downwardly therealong, and such that the rolled edge of the cap contacts the underside of the horizontal plate.

Patented August 30, 1966 In still another aspect of the invention, resilient means may be attached to the bracket for maintaining the can in proper vertical position.

In a further aspect of the invention, `a vertically slidable bracket may be attached to the vertical plate, and spring means below the slidable bracket may maintain an arm of the bracket in contact with the bottom of the can.

In a still further aspect .of the invention, wire clip means may be attached to the horizontal plate, said wire clip means extending to the bottom of the can Where it includes inwardly t-urned ends that can releasably be located in position to contact the bottom of the can.

In another aspect of the invention, the vertically slidable bracket on the vertical plate may include a cam lock arrangement for moving it to a position where an arm of the slidable bracket contacts the bottom of the can.

In still another aspect of the invention, motorized means may be provided for periodically actuating the valve stem of the pressurized can to dispense a predetermined quantity of active ingredient from the can.

The above, other objects and novel features of the improved aerosol can supporting means will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing which are merely exemplary.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational View of mechanism to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a View looking in the direction of the arrows along line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of a facet of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a modied form of bracket means forming part of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is another modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a mechanism including a bracket comprising a vertical plate 11 adapted to be mounted on a wall, to which plate a horizontal plate 12 is rigidly lixed.

Plate 12 includes a hole 13 surrounded by a depending wall 14. A pressurized can 15 is shown as being cylindrical in form and including an upper trusto-conical portion 16 that terminates in an edge 16' that is spun or rolled together with the peripheral edge 17 of a cup-shaped cap 18. Cap 18 includes an upstanding housing 19 within which valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of the can 15. A valve actuating stem 20 extends upward beyond the top of housing 19 and when it is depressed, a predetermined q-uantity of pressurized ingredient within can 1S is dispensed into the atmosphere through the valve mechanism. The diameter of hole 13 is such as slidingly to receive the housing 19, and the wall 14 extends along the housing 19 to effectively support it.

A plate 21 may be attached to vertical plate 11 by elongated holes 22, 23 and screws 24, 25. The mounting is such that plate 21 is slidable along plate 11 to the extent of the length of holes 22, 23. A spring 26 is anchored by a screw 27 to plate 11, and its free leg 28 acts beneath an arm 29 of plate 21, forcing it upwardly. The arm 29 engages the bottom of can 15 and maintains it in proper vertical position.

Referring to FIG. 3, the plate 12 is provided with a hole 30 surrounded by a depending wall 31, the outside diameter of which slidingly receives inside wall of cupshaped cap 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plate 21 may be modified by substituting a pin 33 for the slot 22 and screw 24. The top of plate 21 may be bent over at 34 so as to cooperate with a locking cam 35 mounted on pin 33. A handle 36 fixed to cam 35 may be used to raise and -lock plate 21 in its upper :position where arm 29 engages the bottom of can 15.

Referring to FIG. 5, elongated springs 37 and 38 may have their one ends fixed to the horizontal plate 12 on each side of can 1S. Springs 37 and 38 may extend downwardly below plate 12 and be provided with fingers 39 and 40 that contact the bottom of can 1S in a manner to retain lit with its top edge in Contact with the bottom of plate 12 and with valve 'stem 20 extending above said pl-ate.

Referring again tio FIG. l, motorized means 41 may be provided for periodically actuating the valve stem 20 to dispense predetermined amoun-ts of active ingredient to the atmosphere. It may comprise a motor 42 connected to 'a cam shaft 43 through a conventional one-revolution clutch 44. Cam shaft 43 may fixedly support a cam 45 which actuates valve stem 20 each time it makes a revolution. Conventional means may be employed periodically to energize and de-energize motor 42.

Although the various features of the improved mechanism for supporting and periodically dispensing active ingredients from an aerosol can have been shown and described in detail to -fully disclose several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without -others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate fixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the 'interior of said can and a valve actuating stem extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; means attached to said bracket including means for contacting the bottom of said can to hold it in a vertical position where the valve actuating stem extends through the wall depending downwardly from said plate and through the hole in said horizontal plate and to a point thereabove; and motor-operated means ofr periodically actuating said valve stem for dispensing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient within said can.

2. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate fixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is -located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating stem extendind upwardly from said upstanding housing; and means attached to said bracket including means for contacting the bottom of said can to hold it in a vertical position where the valve actuating stem extends through the hole in said horizontal plate and to a point thereabove, the internal diameter of the wall surrounding the hole in said horizontal plate being such as to slidingly receive said upstanding housing.

3. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate fixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actua-ting stem extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; and means attached to said bracket including means for contacting the bottom of said can to hold it in a vertical position where the valve actuating stem extends through the hole in said horizontal plate and to a point thereabove, the outside diameter of the wall surrounding the hole in said horizontal plate being such as to slidingly receive the internal wall of said cup-shaped cap.

4. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate iixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating stern extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; a vertically slidable plate mounted on said vertical plate, said slidable plate including an arm extending outwardly therefrom in the direction that said horizontal plate extends therefrom; and spring means on said vertical plate and engaging said slidable plate to Iforce said arm upwardly into contact with the bottom of said can to hold the latter in proper vertical position with said valve stem extending above said horizontal plate.

5. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate fixed to said vertical plate, said horizontail plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating stem extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; a vert-ically slidable plate mounted on said vertical plate, said slidable plate including an arm extending outwardly therefrom in the direction that said horizontal plate extends therefrom; spring means on said vertical plate and engaging said slidable plate to force said arm upwardly into contact with the bottom of said can to hold the latter in proper vertical position with said valve stem extending above said horizontal plate; and motor-operated means for periodically actuating said valve stem for dispensing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient within said can.

6. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to 'be attached to awall; a horizontal plate iixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded Iby a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a central- 'ly dispos-ed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating stem extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; a vertically slidable plate mounted on said vertical plate, said slidable plate including an arm extending outwardly therefrom in the direction that said horizontal plate extends therefrom; cam lock means mounted on said vertical plate and engaging said slidable plate for moving said arm upwardly into contact with the lbottom of said can to hold the latter in proper vertical position with said Valve stem extending above said horizontal plate; and `motor-operated means for periodically actuating said valve stem for dispensing a predetermined quantit-y of active ingredient within said can.

7. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate iixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including a hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly from said plate; an aerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating stem extending upwardly from said upstanding housing; and elongated Abowed springs on each side of said can, one yof their ends being attached to said horizontal plate and their other ends being provided with hooks adapted to contact the bottom of said can to hold it in proper vertical position with said valve stem extending above -said horizontall plate.

8. Apparatus comprising in combination, a bracket including a vertical plate adapted to be attached to a wall; a horizontal plate ixed to said vertical plate, said horizontal plate including ya hole therethrough surrounded by a wall depending downwardly yfrom said plate; an laerosol can including a cup-shaped cap having a centrally disposed upstanding housing in 'which a valve mechanism is located that communicates with the interior of said can and a valve actuating sternV extend- `ing :upwardly Vfrom said upstanding housing; elongated bowed spr-ings on each side of said can, one of their 'ends being attached to said lhorizontal plate and their References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,583,688 1/ 1952 Dobkin 222-1180 X 2,971,3'82 2/ 1961 Harris 222-70 X 2,991,912 7/1961 Thom-as et al 239-70 X M. HBNSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A BRACKET INCLUDING A VERTICAL PLATE ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO A WALL; A HORIZONTAL PLATE FIXED TO SAID VERTICAL PLATE, SAID HORIZONTAL PLATE INCLUDING A HOLE THERETHROUGH SURROUNDED BY A WALL DEPENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID PLATE; AND AEROSOL CAN INCLUDING A CUP-SHAPED CAP HAVING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED UPSTANDING HOUSING IN WHICH A VALVE MECHANISM IS LOCATED THAT COMMUNICATES WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID CAN AND A VALVE ACTUATING STEM EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID UPSTANDING HOUSING; MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID BRACKET INCLUDING MEANS FOR CONTACTNG THE BOTTOM OF SAID CAN TO HOLD IT IN A VERTICAL POSITION WHERE THE VALVE ACTUATING STEM EXTENDS THROUGH THE WALL DEPENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID PLATE AND THROUGH THE HOLE IN SAID HORIZONTAL PLATE AND TO A POINT THEREBOVE; AND MOTOR-OPERATED MEANS FOR PERIODICALLY ACTUATING SAID VALVE STEM FOR DISPENSING A PREDETERMINED QUANTITY OF ACTIVE INGREDIENT WITHIN SAID CAN. 